Catching Redfish in Destin, Florida:
A Complete Guide
Redfishes are one of Destin’s inshore highlights. They strike hard when hooked, but capturing them isn’t too overwhelming. They’re not tricky to find, too, which makes them perfect for both new and experienced anglers. So, what are the best methods, baits, and fishing spots for catching redfish in Destin, Florida?
Catching Redfish in Miami, Florida
Redfishes are also called drums, bull red, channel bass, and rat red. They can weigh as little as 10 pounds or as big as 52 pounds. Since they’re quite famous, catching redfishes in Destin should be a breeze with the right guide and gear.
Best Redfish Fishing Spots in Miami
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Best Baits for Redfishes in Miami
Since redfishes aren’t picky, you’re free to choose from live baits and artificial lures. If you opt for live baits, croakers, mullets, crabs, and shrimps are great choices. Meanwhile, if you decide to use artificials, spoons and plugs are perfect, especially if they make loud sounds when striked.
If you want to pick your bait depending on the season, you can also go for crabs, sand dollars, and shrimps during summer and fall; and use pinfishes and mullets during winter and springtime for best results. Similarly, pinfishes and menhadens are perfect for clear water redfish fishing; rattling plugs and jigs are for fishing in turbid waters; and spinnerbaits and croakers are great when it comes to fishing in flats.
Common Techniques for Redfish Fishing
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Redfish Season in Miami, Florida
When catching redfish in Destin, what you need to note is the location of the fishes based on the season. During summer, the reefs, flats, potholes, bridges, and grassy patches are abundant with redfishes, sheepsheads, flounders, and trouts.
Moreover, the Choctawhatchee River’s mouth is a great fishing spot, too. Alternatively, you can stay somewhere in the east bay if you wish to commence in some light tackling.
Meanwhile, fall is a good season to just hover around Destin looking for redfishes. They don’t quite shy away from the onset of the cold weather like other fishes, so it’s still possible to catch them by then.
On the other hand, wintertime is when the redfishes head out to inlets, creaks, and streams for a warmer habitat. You’ll often spot redfishes in the east, where the flats of Choctawhatchee River are. However, note that catching redfishes in Destin during winter may be a slow process.
Lastly, spring is the best time to catch redfishes due to the nice weather. Your choice of fishing spot shouldn’t matter as much by this point since the fishes are spawning and starving.
Redfish Fishing Regulations in Florida
In south and northwest Florida, redfish bagging is limited to one per day per person, with a maximum of eight fishes in a vessel. Meanwhile, northeast Florida allows two redfish catches per person each day, with a maximum of eight fishes in a vessel. However, note that the redfish has to be a minimum of 18 inches long, but not longer than 27 inches.
Additionally, check out Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision’s website for updates. At present, a catch-and-release order for redfishes is temporarily in place in some of Florida’s areas.
Cooking Miami Redfish
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Hiring a Fishing Charter for Redfish Fishing
Whether you’re after redfishes or other types of fishes, you can’t go wrong with hiring a fishing charter. By reaching out to a reputable fishing charter, you’re guaranteeing that you’ll have a safe, memorable, and successful fishing adventure. Fishing charters, such as the Destin, Florida Redfish Fishing Charter, take care of most of what you need when fishing.
You’ll be provided with the best gear, accomodations, and the most experienced local fishing guides. Sometimes, you wouldn’t even need to get a fishing license since the charter already has one. All you’ll need to do is mentally prepare yourself, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring your own snacks.
Other Fish to Catch in Miami
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